V21, Attention - Unauthorised Use of Copyright Material????????

jenpoptab

Please can someone help. My OH has just received this e-mail from V21, any idea why? We do not use any file sharing or P2P programmes, but he has used news groups although not often.




Attention - Unauthorised Use of Copyright Material (Ref ID:8)

IMPORTANT: Please read all of this message and action any
recommendations
before contacting the abuse department.

It has been brought to our attention that your Internet connection
which
is provided by us is being used for unauthorized copying and
distribution
(downloading, uploading, file serving, file swapping or other similar
activities) of copyrighted material.

This unauthorized copying and distribution constitutes copyright
infringement under applicable national laws and international treaties.
Although various legal and equitable remedies may be available as a
result
of such infringement, the copyright holder believes that the entire
Internet community benefits when these matters are resolved
cooperatively.
We urge you to take immediate action to stop this infringing activity
and
inform us of the results of your actions. We appreciate your efforts
toward this common goal. In the event that we receive further evidence
of
your continued disregard for such material then we will be forced to
suspend or cancel your Internet access account.

Please be advised that this letter is not and is not intended to be a
complete statement of the facts or law as they may pertain to this
matter
or of the copyright holders positions, rights or remedies, legal or
equitable, all of which are specifically reserved.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Regards

jenpoptab

can anyone help?

mhendo

a) do you have a wireless router? is it secured to prevent unauthorised access?
b) are you sure nobody in the family has used it to download copyrighted material?

If you are confident neither of the above are a possiblity, just reply back to them stating that you do not use any P2P downloads, and to your knowledge you do not breach any copyright laws in your use of the internet. I would ask if they are able to provide examples of when/where copyrighted material was downloaded using your connection.

jenpoptab

thanks mhendo

we don't use a wireless router & kids are too little to mess about so can't understand what is going on.

OH has just complained to V21 though about how rubbish we are finding them as broadband just cuts out all of the time & then we got this e-mail. Maybe they just want us to leave.

Will tell OH to ask for examples of when material was downloaded.

mhendo

jenpoptab wrote:

Will tell OH to ask for examples of when material was downloaded.

Ask where it was from too, as you may be able to see something in IE's history to tally up with what they tell you.

If they come back with a ridiculous time at which the PC would always be switched off in your household, or when everyone is asleep, then you'll know straight away it can't be something at your end.

jenpoptab

thanks for your help.

Grumpysally

just a thought but have you checked that the email is genuine and not a hoax to try and get security information off you?

mrJ_5

maybe you automatically set off a monthly trigger - which made the email to be sent to you - even if you are a legitamate user - downloading legal stuff, it could still set off the trigger

jenpoptab

Sorry if I sound stupid, but how would a monthly trigger be set off? Would that be because of amount being downloaded? We have no limit on downloadable amount.

I don't think it's a hoax. OH contacted V21 who said it's something to do with film distributors informing them saying someone is using V21 for illegal downloads.

Oh well, I know it's not us! I'm not going to worry about it.

mrJ_5

maybe - you don't have a download limit - but it doesn't mean that they can't email you once you have saying 'you have downloaded 100Gb this month - we think you have been stealing films and music'

Alfie_E

Could you have malicious software running on your computer? Is your anti-virus/anti-spyware software running and up-to-date?

How often does the IP address assigned to you by V21 change? If your IP address changes in the short term, there’s the potential to be accusing the wrong person. If V21 aren’t given an exact time for a supposed offence, it’s quite possible to start accusing the wrong person. It’s also possible that a member of V21 staff simply looked up information incorrectly.